Concealed grid ceiling system

ABSTRACT

A ceiling system in one embodiment includes an overhead support grid comprised of a plurality of intersecting grid support members and a ceiling tile mountable to the grid. Retaining clips support the ceiling tile from the grid which may be concealed from view. The retaining clips each include a cavity that receives a grid support member and a pair of resilient mounting elements configured to locking! y engage a support member. The mounting elements are laterally movable in response to inserting the support member into the cavity of the retaining clip. In one embodiment, the movable elements include locking tabs which create a snap-fit interlock with the grid support, member for securing the ceiling tile to the grid.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATE APPLICATIONS

The present application is a U.S. National Stage application under 35U.S.C. §371 of PCT Application No. PCT/US2013/058015, filed Sep. 4,2013, which in turn claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/696,424 filed Sep. 4, 2012, the entirety ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to ceiling systems, and more particularlyto ceiling systems having a concealed support grid enabled by aretaining clip system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

One type of ceiling system includes ceiling panels or tiles that areinstalled in a support grid which may be suspended from or directlyinstalled to a suitable overhead building support structure. Suchceiling systems may be designed to partially or completely conceals thesupport grid from view.

An improved ceiling system with concealed support grid is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a ceiling system in which individualceiling elements may be mounted to overhead support members in a secureand stable manner. In one embodiment, without limitation, a speciallyconfigured retaining clip is provided that is mountable in a track-likemounting system formed in the ceiling tile comprised of a plurality ofelongated channels. The retaining clips and channels permit the ceilingtiles to be installed in a manner that conceals the support grid fromview. Advantageously, the shape of ceiling tiles that may be used is notrestricted by the arrangement and pattern of the grid support members,as further described, herein.

According to an exemplary embodiment, a ceiling system includes alongitudinally-extending grid support member mountable from an overheadstructure, a ceiling tile including a mounting channel extending atleast partially between first and second opposing peripheral sides ofthe ceiling tile, and a retaining clip slideably disposed in themounting channel of the ceiling tile. The retaining clip includes a pairof opposing and resiliently deformable mounting elements. The mountingelements are spaced apart to define a cavity configured to receive thegrid support member at least partially therein. The mounting elementsare laterally spreadable in response to inserting the grid supportmember into the cavity of the retaining clip, wherein the retaining clipis configured to lockingly engage the grid support member when in alocked position fully inserted into the cavity of the retaining clip forsecuring the ceiling tile to the grid support member. The grid supportmember is concealed from view beneath the ceiling tile.

According to another exemplary embodiment, a retaining clip attachableto a grid support member of a ceiling system is provided for supportinga ceiling tile. The retaining clip includes a mounting flange configuredfor attachment to the ceiling tile, and a pair of opposing resilientlydeformable upright mounting wings configured for attachment to the gridsupport member. The mounting wings extend upwards from the mountingflange and are spaced apart to define an upwardly open cavity configuredto receive the grid support member at least partially therein. Themounting wings are laterally deformable between undeflected anddeflected positions in response to inserting the grid support memberinto the cavity of the retaining clip. The mounting wings includelocking tabs which lockingly engage the grid support member when in amounted position inside the cavity of the retaining clip.

A method for mounting a ceiling tile to a grid support member of aceiling system is provided. The method includes: providing a gridsupport member mountable from an overhead support structure; providing aceiling tile including a horizontally elongated mounting channel, thechannel being open through a top surface of the ceiling tile; slideablyinserting a retaining clip into the mounting channel through aperipheral side of the ceiling tile; sliding the retaining clip to adesired mounting position; vertically aligning an open cavity of aretaining clip with the grid support member; inserting the grid supportmember into the cavity of the retaining clip; laterally displacing apair resiliently deformable locking tabs positioned in the cavity withthe grid support member; and lockingly engaging the locking tabs withthe grid support member for securing the ceiling tile to the gridsupport member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention willbe described with reference to the following drawings, where likeelements are labeled similarly, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a ceiling tile retaining clip for use ina ceiling system according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view thereof;

FIG. 3 is an end elevation view thereof;

FIG. 4 top plan view thereof;

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of a ceiling tile with retaining clipsof FIG. 1 mounted therein;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view thereof;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged detail VII taken from FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an exploded top perspective view of an unassembled ceilingsystem including grid support members forming a support grid, retainingclips, and a ceiling tile;

FIG. 9 is an exploded top perspective view thereof with the retainingclips installed in mounting channels formed through the top of theceiling tile;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged detail X taken from FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a top perspective view the fully assembled ceiling systemwith the ceiling tile mounted to the grid support members using theretaining clips;

FIG. 12 is a side elevation view thereof;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged detail XIII taken from FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged detail XIV taken from FIG. 13; and

FIG. 15 is an end elevation view of the grid support member.

All drawings are schematic and not necessarily to scale. Parts given areference numerical designation in one figure may be considered to bethe same parts where they appear in other figures without a numericaldesignation for brevity unless specifically labeled with a differentpart number and described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The features and benefits of the invention are illustrated and describedherein by reference to exemplary embodiments. This description ofexemplary embodiments is intended to be read in connection with theaccompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entirewritten description. In the description of embodiments disclosed herein,any reference to direction or orientation is merely intended forconvenience of description and is run intended in any way to limit thescope of the present invention. Relative terms such as “lower,” “upper,”“horizontal,” “vertical,”, “above,” “below,” “up,” “down,” “top” and“bottom” as well as derivative thereof (e.g., “horizontally,”“downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed to refer to theorientation as then described or as shown in the drawing underdiscussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description onlyand do not require that the apparatus be constructed or operated in aparticular orientation. Terms such as “attached,” “affixed,”“connected,” “coupled,” “interconnected,” and similar refer to arelationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one anothereither directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well asboth movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expresslydescribed otherwise. Accordingly, the disclosure expressly should not belimited to such exemplary embodiments illustrating some possiblenon-limiting combination of features that may exist alone or in othercombinations of features.

FIGS. 8-13 depict an exemplary ceiling system 100 according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure for forming a concealed grid. Theceiling system 100 includes a support grid 200 comprised of a pluralityof longitudinally-elongated, intersecting grid support members 202 andat least one ceiling tile 300 mounted to the support members withretaining clips 400. In one embodiment, grid support members 202 may behorizontally oriented when installed. It will be appreciated, however,that other suitable mounted orientations of support members 202 may beused such as vertical and angled or slanted (i.e. between 0 and 90degrees to horizontal). Accordingly, although support members 202 may bedescribed in one exemplary orientation herein as horizontal, theinvention is not limited to this orientation alone and otherorientations may be used.

Grid support members 202 are arranged to form an array of grid openings208 which define a grid spacing S2 that corresponds to a mountingchannel spacing S1 in the ceiling tile 300. Accordingly, spacing S2 issubstantially equal to spacing S1 to allow the grid support members 202to engage retaining clips 400 located in the mounting channels 330 ofthe ceiling tile, as further described herein. In some embodiments, thegrid support members 202 (and concomitantly mounting channels 330) maybe arranged in an orthogonal pattern wherein support members intersectat right angles to form rectilinear grid openings 208 such as squares orrectangles (in top plan view). Other shapes of grid openings 208 arepossible. The terminal ends 230 of at least some of the grid supportmembers 202 may be configured to interlock with other transverselyoriented grid support members 202 at right angles (see, e.g. FIG. 13) toform the rectilinear grid pattern in a manner well known to thoseskilled in the art without further elaboration. Any suitableinterlocking mechanism and configuration may be used.

In transverse cross section (with additional reference to FIG. 15), gridsupport members 202 may have a generally inverted T-shaped configurationwhen in an installed position either suspended from or directly attachedto an overhead ceiling support structure via an attachment mechanismsuch as without limitation fasteners, hangers, wires, cables, rods,struts, etc. Grid support members 202 may include alongitudinally-extending horizontal bottom flange 210, a bulbous topstiffening channel 220, and a vertical web 212 extending upwards fromthe flange to the stiffener. The grid support members 202 each define alongitudinal axis LA and axial direction. Web 212 may be centeredbetween opposing side ends of flange 212 in one embodiment. Bottomflange 210 defines upward facing bearing surfaces 204 configured andarranged to engage retaining clip 400. Bearing surfaces 204 are disposedon each side of web 212 and extend laterally from the web outwards tolongitudinally extending opposed lateral edges 214 of the bottom flange210. Bottom flange 210 further defines a bottom surface 206 facingdownwards towards the ceiling tile 300 and a room or space below thesupport grid. Bottom surface 206 defines a first horizontal referenceplane P1 of the overhead support grid 200 which is spaced verticallyabove a second horizontal reference plane P2 defined by the bottomsurface 304 of the ceiling tile.

Grid support members 202 may be made of metallic or non-metallicmaterial suitable to engage clips 400 and support the dead or weightload of ceiling tiles 100 without undue deflection. In some preferredbut non-limiting embodiments, support members 110 may be made of metalincluding aluminum, titanium, steel, or other.

Referring to FIGS. 5-10, ceiling tiles 300 each include a top surface302, bottom surface 304, and peripheral sides 306, 308, 310, and 312each defining a peripheral edge. The distance between opposingperipheral sides defines widths and/or lengths of the ceiling tile 300.In one embodiment, the peripheral sides may have a straight edge (see,e.g. FIG. 6) in side profile to form straight butt joints with adjacenttiles in the ceiling, system 100. Other suitable edge profiles, however,such as angled, tegular, rabbeted, etc. are possible.

Top and bottom surfaces 302, 304 may be substantially planar or flat, oralternatively may include various surface features, textures, andpatterns such as perforations, wavy raised surfaces, undulating surfacecontours, linear grooves and ridges, or other. Accordingly, the top andbottom surfaces 302, 304 are not limited to any particular surfaceprofile. In one embodiment, the top surface of 302 of the ceiling tile300 may be flat which may serve as a reference surface for locating themounting channels 330 at a uniform position in each ceiling tile duringmanufacture.

Ceiling tiles 300 may have substantially uniform thickness T1 whereintop surface 302 is substantially parallel to bottom surface 304 betweenthe peripheral sides 306, 308, 310, and 312. In other possibleembodiments, top and bottom surfaces 302, 304 may be angled with respectto each other to form a reveal between adjacent ceiling tiles whereinone or more peripheral sides 306, 308, 310, or 312 project below thebottom surface 304 of an adjacent ceiling the 300.

With continuing, reference to FIGS. 5-10, ceiling tiles 300 include aplurality of longitudinally-extending recessed mounting channels 330formed through and penetrating top surface 302 so that the channels areopen in an upwards direction lacing the overhead support grid 200.Channels 330 extend longitudinally across the tile and parallel to thetop and bottom surfaces 302, 304. Each channel 330 penetrates at leastone peripheral edge formed by peripheral sides 306, 308, 310, or 312 ofceiling tile 300 to allow insertion of a retaining clip 400 through aside of the ceiling the into the channel. In one embodiment, as shownfor example in FIG. 5, the channels 330 are arranged to penetrate eachperipheral side 306, 308, 310, or 312. In this embodiment, each channel330 further penetrates two opposing peripheral sides 306, 308, 310, or312, which maximizes the possible insertion and mounting locations ofretaining clip 400 on ceiling tile 300.

It will be appreciated that in other possible configurations andarrangements of channels 330, however, that some or all of the channelsmay extend horizontally/laterally only partially across the width/lengthof the ceiling tile 300 from one peripheral side 306, 308, 310, or 312,as represented by channel 330′ shown in dashed lines in FIG. 5. Thispartial channel 330′ terminates at a dead end, which limits the maximumlateral insertion distance of the retaining clip 400 into the channel.This arrangement further limits the range of possible ceiling tilemounting locations for retaining clip 400, which may be desirable insome particular applications.

Each channel 330 includes an open top 331, an upper receptacle 332including two opposing sidewalk 333, and a lower retaining clip mountingreceptacle 334. In one embodiment, sidewalls 333 may be sloped or angledwith respect to a vertical centerline CV2 defined by the channel 330.Accordingly, sidewalls 333 may each be disposed at an angle A3 tovertical centerline CV2 between 0 and 90 degrees. The angled sidewalls333 allow the retaining clip 400 to expand laterally outwards into a gapG formed between the sidewalls and resiliently flexible mountingelements such as upright wings 413 of the clip when mounting the ceilingtile 300 to a grid support member 202, as further described herein. Thegap G may be wedge-shaped. In other possible embodiments, the sidewallsmay be arranged parallel to vertical centerline CV2 (e.g. perpendicularto top surface 320) as represented by the dashed line 333′ in FIG. 7provided sufficient lateral space is created between the opposingsidewalls to allow the retaining clip 400 enough room to expandlaterally by a sufficient amount to lock the retaining clip to the gridsupport member 202.

In one embodiment, as shown in the figures, angled sidewalk 333 aredesired which forms a pair of inwardly projecting protrusions 335configured to be received at least partially in and engage a pair ofoutwardly open notches 407 of the retaining clip 400 (see, e.g. FIGS. 2,7, and 14). The protrusions 335 create a pair of opposing shoulders inchannel 330 that engage retaining clip 400. This ensures a snug fit fortightly securing the clips 400 in the channel 330 to minimize possiblerotation of the retaining clip 400 with respect to the channel 330 whenlocking the ceiling tile 300 to the support grid 200. The engagementbetween the protrusions 335 and notches 407 further creates a pivotpoint around which the angled sidewalls 333 may rotate and expandlaterally outwards when being locked to as grid support member 202.

As shown in FIG. 7, the lower mounting receptacle 334 is complementaryconfigured in cross sectional shape to the laterally widened mountingbase or flange 408 of retaining clip 400 (see also FIG. 2 of retainingclip). This securely holds the retaining clip 400 in the mountingchannel 330 of the ceiling tile 300. The mounting receptacle 334 islocated between the bottom surface 304 and top surface 302 of theceiling tile. In one arrangement, mounting receptacle 334 may be spacedvertically apart from and does not penetrate bottom surface 304 ofceiling tile 300 so that the overhead support grid 200 will becompletely concealed from view beneath the ceiling tile (see also FIG.13).

Mounting receptacle 334 defines a downward facing bearing surface 336which engages upward facing top surface 406 on retaining clip 400.Upward facing bearing surface 338 of mounting receptacle 334 engagesdownward facing bottom surface 404 of retaining clip 400. Mountingreceptacle 334 communicates with upper receptacle 332 to allow theresiliently flexible mounting wings 413 of retaining clip 400 to extendupwards through the channel 330 for engaging the support grid 200. Themounting receptacle 334 has a width W2 which is sized just slightlylarger than width W3 of mounting flange 408. This allows the mountingflange 408 to be slideably inserted and moved within channel 330 withoutexcessive looseness that might allow the ceiling tile 100 to wobble wheninstalled in the support grid 200.

A narrow throat portion 340 is formed between upper and lowerreceptacles 332, 334 by the horizontal gap created between the inwardprotrusions 335 on each sidewall 333 of the mounting channel 330, asshown in FIG. 7. The throat portion 340 has as width W6 which is smallerthan the width W3 of the retaining clip bottom mounting flange 408 (seealso FIG. 2). This prevents the retaining clip 400 from being withdrawnvertically from the ceiling tile channel 330 to ensure that the ceilingtile 300 remains secured to the overhead grid support members 202. WidthW6 of the throat portion 340 is therefore smaller than width W2 of thelower receptacle 334.

Any suitable number and arrangement of channels 330 may be provided solong as the ceiling tile 300 may be securely fastened to the overheadsupport grid 200 with retaining clips 400. In various embodiments, atleast two channels 330 arranged in intersecting or parallel relationshipto each other may be used so that the retaining clips are not allarranged in the same vertical mounting plane to avoid rotation of theceiling tile and provide secure installation. More mounting channels 330may be desired for as secure mount depending on the size and shape ofthe ceiling tiles used. In one exemplary arrangement shown in FIG. 5,multiple intersecting channels 330 are provided. As shown each mountingchannel 330 may include one or more retaining clips 400 with at leastsome of the clips disposed near the peripheral sides 306, 308, 310, and312 of the ceiling tile proximate to where the ceiling tile will abut anadjacent tile for providing a relatively tight flush joint.

FIGS. 1-4 show a ceiling tile retaining dip 400 in greater detail.Retaining clip 400 has a generally truncated V-shaped body that definesa vertical centerline CV1 and longitudinal axis LA which generallycoincides and aligns with the longitudinal axis of a grid support member202 and axially elongated mounting channels 330 formed in the ceilingtiles 300 when the retaining clip is coupled to both the support memberand ceiling tile. Retaining clip 400 further defines a pair of axialends 442 oriented transversely to longitudinal axis LA. Retaining clip400 has an axial length L1 which may be less than the length of amounting channel 330 which may be measured along the width or lengthdimension D1 of the ceiling tile 300 (see also FIG. 5). This allows theretaining clip 400 to be mounted in a plurality of possible mountingpositions on the ceiling tile. Accordingly, mounting channel 330 has alength that is at least as long as length L1 of retaining clip 400, andpreferably longer than twice the length of L1 to provide multiplemounting locations or positions for the retaining clip.

Retaining clip 400 further includes two opposing resiliently flexibleand laterally movable upright mounting elements such as mounting wings413 extending upwards from to common mounting base such as flange 408.The mounting flange 408, being captured by the mounting channel 330 ofthe ceiling tile 300, is intended to remain relatively stationary inposition during the process of mounting the ceiling tile to the supportgrid 200 whereas the mounting wings 413 are elastically deformable tolock the ceiling tile to the support grid, as further described herein.

The body of the retaining dip may be formed as a single unitarystructure in which the mounting wings 413 and mounting flange 408 areall integral portions of the unitary body. In other possibleembodiments, the mounting wings 413 may be separate elements coupled tomounting flange 408 in any suitable manner such as welding, solder,fasteners, interlocked structures, etc.

Referring generally now to FIGS. 1-4, 7, 13, and 14, the mounting wings413 are spaced laterally apart to define a widened entrance or topopening 422 having a width W4 (measured between top edges 403) that issized to receive the bottom flange 210 of a grid support member 202 wheninserted vertically downwards into the retaining clip. Accordingly,width W4 is larger than the lateral width W5 of the bottom mountingflange 210 of the grid support member 202. Each mounting wing 413includes an an upper section 412 defining an upper free terminal edge403, a middle section 411, and a lower end 410 which conjoins bottommounting flange 408. In some embodiments, upper section 412 of eachmounting wing 413 may be flared outwards about a bend line 409 at anangle A4 to the middle section 411. Angle A4 may be between 0 and 90degrees, and preferably between 0 and 45 degrees in various embodiments.Each mounting wing 413 further defines a pair of inner bearing surfaces416 which face inwards towards each other and vertical centerline CV1defined by the retaining clip 400. The bearing surfaces 416 areconfigured and arranged to slideably engage bottom flange 210 of a gridsupport member 202 during the ceiling tile mounting process, as furtherdescribed herein.

Mounting wings 413 may be slanted and angled outwards away from verticalcenterline CV1 and diverge by a progressively increasing horizontaldistance from centerline CV1 in moving vertically upward away from thebottom mounting flange 408, as shown. In one embodiment, each mountingwing 413 may be disposed at an angle A1 from vertical centerline CV1between 0 and 90 degrees, and more preferably between 0 and 45 degrees.The angled wings 413 define an interior cavity 420 therebetweenconfigured and dimensioned to receive bottom flange 210 at leastpartially into the cavity (see, e.g. FIG. 13). In one embodiment, cavity420 may have a frusto-conical shape in transverse cross section.

Bottom mounting flange 408 of retaining clip 400 defines an opposingpair of laterally outward extending engagement protrusions 440configured to engage lateral end portions of lower mounting receptacle334 in the ceiling tile 100. Mounting flange 408 includes an outerbottom surface 404, opposing outer top surface 406, opposing inner topsurface 441, and a pair of opposing longitudinally-extending lateralends 405 oriented parallel to longitudinal axis LA. The distance betweenthe ends 405 defines a mounting flange width W3. Each mounting wing 413is disposed at an angle A5 to the top surface 406 of the mounting flange408. In some embodiments, angle A5 may be between 0 and 90 degrees whichcreates the angled or sloped inner bearing surfaces 416 inside theretaining clip opposite outer surfaces 401 of the mounting wings 413.The inner bearing surfaces 416 may be substantially parallel to outersurfaces 401 creating a substantially uniform thickness T2 for eachmounting wing 413 (see also FIG. 2).

In one embodiment, bottom mounting flange 408 of retaining clip 400 mayhave an at least partially open interior space defined between thevertically spaced apart top and bottom surfaces 406, 404 of the flange.The mounting flange 408 may form a generally V-shaped shoulder or corner424 (which may be slightly rounded) forming a laterally narrowed throatportion 450 of the retaining clip 400 and outwardly open notches 407configured for engaging mounting channel 330, as described herein. Theinwardly projecting corners 424 are resiliently flexible and verticallymovable to a degree upon applying a generally downward force against thetop edges 403 of the mounting wings 413. Accordingly, top surface 406 ofmounting flange 408 is in turn resiliently deformable to a degree withrespect to the bottom surface 404 due to the open interior space formedbetween the surfaces. This may assist with sliding and then maintainingthe retaining clips 400 in a desired mounting position within thelongitudinally extending channels 330 formed in the ceiling tiles 300.For example, a clip 400 may be inserted into a channel 330 through aperipheral side 306, 308, 310, or 312. The installer may then pressdownwards with a force against the mounting wings 413 which temporarilyand resiliently deforms the corners 424, thereby displacing themslightly downwards to relieve some of the frictional pressure betweenthe adjacent top surface 406 of the mounting flange 408 and the downwardfacing bearing surface 336 in the lower receptacle of the ceiling tilechannel (reference FIG. 7). This allows the clip 400 to slide moreeasily within the channel 330. When a desired position of the clip 400is reached, the installer releases the mounting wings 413 therebyremoving the downward force. The top surface of retaining clip 400springs back upwards and increases the frictional three against thebearing surface 336 to help frictionally retaining the clip in positionwith channel 330 until the ceiling tile 300 is mounted to the overheadsupport grid 200.

It will be appreciated that in other possible embodiments, the bottommounting flange 408 of retaining clip 400 may be solid without aninterior space and vertical deformability between the top and bottomsurfaces 406, 404.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, retaining clip 400 further includes at least oneopposing pair of resiliently movable locking tabs 402 which are eachconfigured to engage grid support member 202 for locking the ceilingtile 100 to the support grid 200. Locking tabs 402 may each be hingedlyconnected to a mounting wing 413 at a top hinged end 402 aand have abottom free end 402 b which engages upward facing bearing surface 204 onthe bottom flange 210 of the grid support member 202, as further shownin FIG. 13. In one embodiment, the free ends 402 b of tabs 402 arearranged to engage the opposing longitudinally extending lateral edges214 of the bottom flange 210.

As best shown in FIG. 2, locking tabs 402 project inwards from eachmounting wing 413 of retaining clip 400 and are disposed at an angle A2to the wings. In one non-limiting embodiment, angle A2 may be between 0and 45 degrees. The tabs 402 are movable laterally outward by engagementwith the bottom flange 210 of the grid support member 202 when insertedinto the retaining clip 400. The grid support member 202 creates alaterally outward force against the locking tabs 402 to temporarilydeflect and spread the tabs apart. The locking tabs 402 elasticallyreturn inwards towards an undeflected position upon disengagement fromthe bottom flange 210 of the grid support member 202. The tabs 402 maybe rigidly structured with respect to the mounting wings 413 (e.g. bymaking the vertical length of the tabs relatively short) so that thegrid support member 202 deflects both the tabs and mounting wing uponcontact. In other embodiments, the tabs 402 may be movable with respectto the mounting wings 413 to a degree such that the grid support member202 deflects either the tabs alone upon contact or both the tabs andmounting wings. Any of the foregoing constructions are satisfactory solong as the locking tabs 402 are deflected and spread apart by the gridsupport member 202.

The locking tabs 402 are disposed between the top edges 403 and bottommounting flange 408 of the retaining clip 400 at a position that islocated between the top and bottom surfaces 302, 304 of the ceiling tilewhen the retaining clip is mounted therein (see, e.g. FIG. 13). Thisprovided a stable ceiling tile mount and minimizes the total combinedheight of the ceiling tile and grid support member combination forcompact installations. In one embodiment, the locking tabs may belocated more proximate to the bottom mounting flange 408 of retainingclip 400 than the top edges 403 at a position adjacent to throat portion450 where the width of the retaining clip cavity 420 is less than thewidth W5 of the grid support member bottom flange 210 to trap the flangebeneath the locking tabs (see also FIGS. 2, 7, and 13-15).

The locking tabs 402 may be formed as an integral unitary structuralpart of mounting wings 413 by creating a three-sided rectilinear cut inthe wing and bending the tabs inwards away from the wings towardsvertical centerline CV1. This embodiment formed a cutout window 425 inthe mounting wings 413 below the hinged end 402 a of each locking tab402. Each locking tab 402 is laterally moveable into and out of itsrespective window 425.

In other possible embodiments contemplated, locking tabs 402 may beformed as separate elements which are attached to mounting wings 413 byany suitable means to form a hinge such as with fasteners, soldering,welding, adhesives, or other. In one preferred embodiment, the lockingtabs 402 are integrally formed from a part of mounting wings 413 in themanner described above for simplicity of manufacture andcost-effectiveness. Any suitable number of locking tabs 402 may beprovided. Each mounting wing 413 preferably includes at least onelocking tab 402.

When retaining clip 400 is mounted in a mounting channel 330 of theceiling the 300, the upper portion and top edges 403 of mounting wings413 extend vertically above the top surface 302 of the ceiling tile asshown for example in FIGS. 7, 10, and 13. This positions the mountingwings 413 to cleanly receive and engage a grid support member 202 beinginserted through the top opening 422 of the retaining clip.

Retaining clips 400 may be made of any suitable resiliently deformablemetallic or non-metallic material having an elastic memory which allowsmounting wings 413 and locking tabs 402 to be laterally deflected bygrid support members 202 and then return towards the originalundeflected position. In one preferred embodiment, retaining clips 400may be made from spring steel or other resiliently deformable metal. Inother possible embodiments, a suitably strong and resilient plasticmaterial may be used. The retaining clips 400 may be fabricated by anysuitable method(s) used in the art such as without limitation stamping,bending, extrusion, cutting, and others depending on the shape andmaterial of construction intended for the clips.

A method or process for mounting a ceiling tile to an overhead supportgrid of a ceiling system will now be described. In one embodiment, theceiling system is a concealed grid ceiling system 100. As furtherdescribe below, the grid support member 202 is vertically movable froman entrance position to a locked position in the retaining clip whereinthe grid support member is locking engaged with the retaining clip.

The method begins with first providing the ceiling system components, asshown for example in FIG. 8. This includes a support grid comprised of aplurality of grid support members 202 which have been preassembled andalready mounted from or to an overhead support structure in theconfiguration shown in one exemplary embodiment, a ceiling tile 300, anda plurality of retaining clips 400.

Referring generally to FIGS. 5-13, the method continues by nextinstalling the retaining clips 400 in the mounting channels 330 in theceiling tile 300. The clips 400 are each laterally and slideablyinserted through open ends of the mounting channels 330 formed throughperipheral sides 306, 308, 310, and/or 312 of the ceiling tile 300.After initial insertion of a clip 400 into a channel 330, the installermay optionally press downwards against the mounting wings 413 to relievethe frictional engagement between the upward facing top surfaces 406 ofthe clip mounting flange 208 and downward facing surfaces in the lowermounting receptacle 334 of the channels 330, in the manner alreadydescribed herein. The retaining clips 400 may be slid along the lengthof the channels between a continuum of possible axial mounting positionsin the channels between the peripheral sides of the ceiling tile 300.When the desired mounting position is reached, the retaining clip 400may be released by the installer. The clips 400 are maintained inposition by frictional engagement with the mounting channels 330. Theclips 400 are positioned and ready for mounting to the support grid 200.The upright mounting wings 413 of the retaining clips 400 are in aninitial undeflected position.

In one embodiment, the retaining clips 400 are preferably located sothat a clip is positioned proximate to the peripheral sides of theceiling tile in each of the mounting channels 330 (see, e.g. FIGS. 5, 9,and 10). In some embodiments, the retaining clips 400 may be spacedinwards in the channels 330 away from the peripheral sides, as shown.This retaining clip 400 position ensures that the peripheral sideregions of the ceiling tile are securely mounted to the overhead supportgrid 200 to form relatively tight joints with and substantially flushbottom surfaces between adjacent tiles for aesthetic reasons. Additionalintermediate retaining clips 400 may be provided between theperipherally-located clips for added support, as needed depending on thesize and weight of the ceiling tile 300.

With the retaining clips 400 now installed in the foregoing mountedpositions in mounting channels 330, the ceiling tile 300 is raisedvertically upwards towards the support grid 200 so that the ceiling tileis proximate to the grid (see, e.g. FIG. 9). The horizontal position andorientation of the ceiling tile 300 may be adjusted so that theretaining clips 400 are each vertically aligned with a correspondinggrid support member 202. Since the installer is located below theceiling tile 300 during installation, the support members 202 above thetile cannot generally be viewed directly. However, because the gridsupport members 202 each form axially aligned runners and cross-pieceswith remaining exposed support members, the installer can approximatethe proper horizontal position of the ceiling tile as needed.

The installer next raises the ceiling tile 100 vertically upwardsagainst the overhead support grid 200, preferably creating light contactinitially. The horizontal position and orientation of the ceiling tile300 may be adjusted so that the bottom flanges 210 of the grid supportmembers 202 are horizontally and vertically centered over the topopenings 422 of the retaining clips 400 so that the vertical centerlinesCV1 and CV2 of the retaining clips and ceiling tile mounting channels330 are substantially aligned. The widened top opening 422 of theretaining clips 400 facilitates this positioning. Because the top edges403 of the retaining clips 400 are raised above the top surface 302 ofthe ceiling tile, the installer can generally determine by feel that thebottom flanges 210 of the grid support members 202 are properly alignedwith the top openings 422 of the retaining clips 400. At this point inthe installation process, the retaining clips 400 are not lockinglyengaged with the grid support members 202.

With the retaining clips 400 now properly aligned with the grid supportmembers 202, the ceiling tile 300 is further raised vertically upwardstowards the support grid 200. The bottom flange 210 of each grid supportmember 202 travels downwards in cavity 420 from the top opening 422 ofthe retaining clip 400 towards the bottom mounting flange 408 of theretaining clip. As the cavity 420 of the retaining clip 400 graduallynarrows towards the bottom (see, e.g. FIG. 7 entrance width W4 to throatportion 450 width W1), the longitudinally extending lateral edges 214 ofthe bottom flange 210 moves downwards and may slidingly engage one orboth inner bearing surfaces 416 of the retaining clip 400 depending onthe width W5 of the grid support member mounting flange 210 and of thecavity at different portions. Accordingly, in some embodiments, theopposed lateral edges 214 of the bottom flange 210 may mutually engageportions of the inner bearing surfaces 416 on each mounting wing 413above the locking tabs 402, which would deflect the elastic mountingwings 413 laterally outwards in opposing directions and narrows thewidth of gap G formed on each side of the retaining clip (referenceFIGS. 7 and 13). In other embodiments, the opposed lateral edges 214 ofthe bottom flange 210 may not engage portions of the inner bearingsurfaces 416 on each mounting wing 413 above the locking tabs 402, inwhich case no deflection of the mounting wings would occur.

Eventually, lateral edges 214 of the bottom flange 210 on the gridsupport member 202 approach and slidingly engage the locking tabs 402 ofthe retaining clip 400. This gradually deflects the tabs 402 laterallyoutwards farther and farther as the support member 202 progressesdownward in the retaining clip. In some embodiments, the locking tabs413 may be somewhat rigidly structured in relation to the mounting wings413 so that the grid support member 202 deflects and spreads themounting wings outward with the locking tabs. In other possibleembodiments, the locking tabs 402 alone may be deflected towards themounting wings 413 or both the locking tabs and mounting wings may bespread apart by the mounting flange 210 of the grid support member 202.

In any of the foregoing deflection scenarios, the locking tabs 402 arespread apart by sufficient horizontal distance to allow the opposedlateral edges 214 of the bottom flange 210 on the grid support member202 to pass by the locking tabs. Once the lateral edges 214 reach aposition below free end 402 b of the retaining clip 400 (see also FIGS.1-4), the locking tabs 402 snap back inwards engaging the top surface204 of the bottom flange 210 near the lateral edges 214 of grid supportmember 202, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. The mounting wings 413 and/orlocking tabs 402 alone may each return inwards to a substantiallyundeflected position. The ceiling tile 300 is now snap-fit and lockinglyengaged with the overhead support grid 200 in a fully mounted position.The locking tabs 402 of the retaining clip 400 are substantially alignedin the same horizontal plane P1 as the bottom mounting flanges 210 ofthe grid support members 202 when the ceiling tile 300 is fully mountedto the support grid 200. As best shown in FIG. 14, the lateral edges 214of the grid support member 202 are trapped between the free ends 402 bof locking tabs 402 and inner bearing surface 416 in the narrowed throatportion 450 of the retaining clip 400 because the throat portion has asmaller width W1 than width W5 of the grid support member mountingflange 210. The grid support member 202 cannot be vertically withdrawnfrom the retaining clip 400 without first forcing the locking tabs 402back outwards to disengage the tabs from the bottom mounting flange 210,and then raising the grid support member 202 upwards by simultaneouslylowering the ceiling tile 300. When the ceiling tile is mounted to thesupport grid 200, the locking tabs 402 of the retaining clip 400 aregenerally accessible from only above the ceiling tile 300.

It should be noted that the foregoing ceiling tile snap-fit mountingmechanism creates an audible “click” to confirm to the installer thatthe ceiling tile 300 has been fully and properly mounted.Advantageously, this assists signals installers who cannot directly seethe engagement between the retaining clips 400 and the grid supportmembers 202.

The foregoing ceiling tile installation process may be repeated asnecessary to add additional ceiling tiles 300 to the support grid 200.

It will be appreciated that the ceiling tile 300 mounting systemdescribed herein advantageously does not limit the shape of ceilingtiles that may be used. The mounting is controlled by thepattern/arrangement and lateral spacing of the overhead grid supportmembers 202 and their mating mounting channels 330 formed in the topsurface 302 of the ceiling tile 100 which hold the retaining clips 400.The arrangement of the grid support members 202 and mounting channels330 is therefore independent of the shape of the ceiling tile used.Accordingly, ceiling tiles 300 may be used having different shapes thanthe openings 208 formed by the grid support members 202 and the layoutof the mounting channels 330.

Although a square rectilinear ceiling tile is shown herein fordescribing one possible non-limiting embodiment, the invention is notlimited to such rectilinear shapes (e.g, square, rectangular) alone.Other polygonal shapes (e.g. diamond, triangular, hexagon, etc.) andcombinations of shapes may be used for ceiling tiles and mounted to anoverhead support grid in accordance with the ceiling tile mountingsystem disclosed herein.

While the foregoing description and drawings represent exemplaryembodiments of the present disclosure, it will be understood thatvarious additions, modifications and substitutions may be made thereinwithout departing from the spirit and scope and range of equivalents ofthe accompanying claims. In particular, it will be clear to thoseskilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in otherforms, structures, arrangements, proportions, sizes, and with otherelements, materials and components, without departing from the spirit oressential characteristics thereof. In addition, numerous variations inthe methods/processes described herein may be made within the scope ofthe present disclosure. One skilled in the art will further appreciatethat the embodiments may be used with many modifications of structure,arrangement, proportions, sizes, materials, and components andotherwise, used in the practice of the disclosure, which areparticularly adapted to specific environments and operative requirementswithout departing from the principles described herein. The presentlydisclosed embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects asillustrative and not restrictive. The appended claims should beconstrued broadly, to include other variants and embodiments of thedisclosure, which may be made by those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the scope and range of equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A ceiling system comprising: alongitudinally-extending grid support member mountable from an overheadstructure; a ceiling tile including a mounting channel extending atleast partially between first and second opposing peripheral sides ofthe ceiling tile; a retaining clip slideably disposed in the mountingchannel of the ceiling tile, the retaining clip including a pair ofopposing and resiliently deformable mounting elements, the mountingelements being spaced apart to define a cavity configured to receive thegrid support member at least partially therein; a resiliently movablelocking tab formed on each mounting element and spaced below a free topterminal edge of each mounting element, the locking tabs extendinginwardly into the cavity and engaging an upward facing bearing surfacesof the grid support member which locks the ceiling tile to the supportgrid; the mounting elements being laterally spreadable in response toinserting the grid support member into the cavity of the retaining clip;wherein the retaining clip is configured to lockingly engage the gridsupport member when in a locked position fully inserted into the cavityof the retaining clip for securing the ceiling tile to the grid supportmember; wherein a top surface of the ceiling tile is positioned betweenthe free terminal top edge and the locking tabs of the mountingelements.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the mounting elements eachinclude a locking tab protruding inwards into the cavity of theretaining clip, the locking tabs engaging the grid support member in thelocked position, and wherein inserting the grid support member into theretaining clip engages and laterally deflects the locking tabs outwards.3. The system of claim 1, wherein inserting the grid support member intothe retaining clip laterally spreads the mounting elements apart.
 4. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the mounting elements are upright in positionand configured as opposing wings having a majority portion of whichextend vertically upwards from a common bottom mounting flange slideablyreceived in the mounting channel of the ceiling tile.
 5. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the retaining clip includes a top opening configuredand dimensioned to receive a portion of the grid support membertherethrough, and wherein the top opening is defined by top edges of themounting elements that project above a top surface of the ceiling tile,the top edges defining an entrance opening for inserting a portion thegrid support member therethrough.
 6. The system of claim 1, furthercomprising a gap formed between each mounting element and a respectiveadjacent sidewall of the mounting channel in the ceiling tile.
 7. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the mounting channel includes an upperreceptacle in which the mounting elements are disposed, a lower mountingreceptacle configured to secure the retaining clip in the mountingchannel, and a narrow throat portion formed between the upper and lowerreceptacles, and the throat portion has a narrow width than the lowerreceptacle.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the mounting channelincludes an upper receptacle in which the mounting elements aredisposed, a lower mounting receptacle configured to secure the retainingclip in the mounting channel, and a narrow throat portion formed betweenthe upper and lower receptacles, and the upper receptacle includessloped sidewalls.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the mounting channelincludes an upper receptacle in which the mounting elements aredisposed, a lower mounting receptacle configured to secure the retainingclip in the mounting channel, and a narrow throat portion formed betweenthe upper and lower receptacles, and the retaining clip includes alaterally widened mounting flange disposed in the lower receptacle ofthe channel and having a greater width than the throat portion of thechannel.
 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the mounting channel has anopen top that penetrates a top surface of the ceiling tile and a closedbottom that does not penetrate a bottom surface of the ceiling tile, andthe mounting elements are accessible through the open top of themounting channel, the grid support member being insertable through theopen top of the mounting channel.
 11. The system of claim 1, wherein thegrid support member includes a bottom flange and a vertical webextending upwards from the bottom flange, and when the grid supportmember is in the locked position in the retaining clip, the retainingclip engages opposing lateral edges of the bottom flange to secure thegrid support member to the retaining clip.
 12. The system of claim 1,wherein the grid support member includes a bottom flange and a verticalweb extending upwards from the bottom flange, and the retaining clip hasa narrowed throat portion having a width smaller than bottom flange ofthe grid support member.
 13. A retaining clip attachable to a gridsupport member of a ceiling system for supporting a ceiling tile, theretaining clip comprising: a longitudinal axis; a planar mounting flangeconfigured for attachment to the ceiling tile, the mounting flangeincluding opposing longitudinally-extending engagement protrusions eachdefining an outer lateral end and a planar bottom surface extendingtransversely between the lateral ends; and a pair of longitudinallyextending opposing resiliently deformable upright mounting wingsconfigured for attachment to the grid support member, the mounting wingsextending upwards from the mounting flange and being spaced apart todefine an upwardly open cavity configured to receive the grid supportmember at least partially therein, the mounting wings being oriented ina same direction as and parallel to the engagement protrusions of themounting flange along the longitudinal axis; the mounting wings beinglaterally deformable between undeflected and deflected positions inresponse to inserting the grid support member into the cavity of theretaining clip; the mounting wings including locking tabs whichlockingly engage a top surface of the grid support member when in amounted position inside the cavity of the retaining clip; wherein theengagement protrusions of the mounting flange extend transversely beyondthe locking tabs in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.14. The retaining clip of claim 13, wherein each locking tab is disposedat an angle between 0 and 45 degrees to a respective mounting wing andthe locking tabs protrude inwards into the cavity of the retaining clipto engage the grid support member in the locked position.
 15. Theretaining clip of claim 13, wherein inserting the grid support memberinto the retaining clip engages and laterally deflects the locking tabsoutwards, laterally spreading the mounting wings apart.
 16. Theretaining clip of claim 13, wherein the retaining clip includes a topopening configured and dimensioned to receive a portion of the gridsupport member therethrough, and the top opening is defined by top edgesof the mounting elements that project above a top surface of the ceilingtile when the retaining clip is mounted therein.
 17. The retaining clipof claim 13, wherein the retaining clip includes a top openingconfigured and dimensioned to receive a portion of the grid supportmember therethrough, and the retaining clip includes a narrowed throatportion disposed below the top opening, and the narrowed throat portionhas a width less than the grid support member.
 18. A method for mountinga ceiling tile to a grid support member of a ceiling system, the methodcomprising: providing a grid support member mountable from an overheadsupport structure; providing a ceiling tile including a horizontallyelongated mounting channel, the channel being open through a top surfaceof the ceiling tile; slideably inserting a retaining clip into themounting channel through a peripheral side of the ceiling tile; slidingthe retaining clip to a desired mounting position; vertically aligningan open cavity of a retaining clip with the grid support member;inserting the grid support member into the cavity of the retaining clip;laterally displacing a pair resiliently deformable locking tabspositioned in the cavity with the grid support member, the locking tabsspaced below free terminal top edges of the retaining clip; lockinglyengaging the locking tabs with the grid support member for securing theceiling tile to the grid support member; and locating a top surface ofthe ceiling tile between the free terminal top edges of the retainingclip and the locking tabs.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein thelocking tabs are disposed on a pair or resiliently deformable uprightmounting elements formed on the retaining clip, and the laterallydisplacing steps includes laterally displacing the mounting elements.20. The method of claim 18, wherein the lockingly engaging step includestrapping a bottom flange of the grid support member between the lockingtabs and a pair of opposed angled bearing surfaces in the cavity of theretaining clip.